Truffles, Vines & Island Hideaways

After flying to Pula, you’ll be transferred to Bale and Villa Meneghetti. This historic and grand estate, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, is a perfect location to begin your foodie adventure. Enjoy a wine tour of the Istrian peninsula, which is home to over 130 grape varieties, from individual, lesser-known wines to more familiar favourites such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Wind your way around the scenic countryside as you visit pretty villages and vineyards and learn all about the process of wine making from grape to bottle with award-winning wine maker Ivica Matoševic.

You should also go on a hunt for one of the gourmet world’s most luxurious ingredients – the truffle. The world’s second largest white truffle was found here – see if you can beat it! Back at the villa, enjoy a gourmet four-course lunch menu, paired with Meneghetti’s own red and white vintages, as you look out over the vineyards.

Today, you’ll be transferred to Rijeka and hop on a catamaran to the island of Pag, where you’ll be greeted with desert-like landscapes of pale-pink hills, a Renaissance capital and beautiful beaches. Pag is also known for its food, such as lamb with rosemary, and a flavoursome Parmesan-like cheese, and its wine.

Stay at Hotel Restaurant Boskinac, in another idyllic location, also surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, as well as fields of pine trees. Some of Croatia’s best wines are produced here, enhanced by the rocky landscapes, the salt and the minerals in the soil. In addition to dining on traditional island cuisine and drinking to your heart’s content, you can visit secluded nearby beaches and take leisurely day trips to the mainland, such as the historic city of Zadar – or work off all that food and drink by hiking the mountains in the national parks of Paklenica and Velebit. If you can’t face all of that, simply enjoy another tempting snack and another glass of wine as you look out over the Novalja fields.

After your stay in Pag, you’ll be transferred to historic Sibenik, the oldest Croatian town on the Adriatic founded by Croats (it was founded by Croatian King Kresimir) where you can see gems such as a UNESCO-listed cathedral that dates from Venetian rule, and where fishermen head out in traditional boats against a backdrop of mountains, islets and waterfalls, as well as the omnipresent vineyards.

Luxuriate in the lap of luxury at the regal Heritage Hotel Life Palace, housed in a former 15th-century palace, and during your time here, learn about the traditional peka method of cooking, where meat, seafood and vegetables are cooked over a fire in a pan covered by a lid of hot charcoal, giving dishes a deep flavour and texture. Traditionally, songs were sung and wine was drunk as people waited for the food to cook – and you’ll find that these unique flavours are well worth the wait.